The faculty at Monmouth University work together to provide challenging classroom environments that encourage student involvement and ensure that Monmouth graduates leave the University ready to exercise socially responsible leadership in their professional and personal communities. The faculty take teaching and student learning seriously. To enhance their effectiveness, most have participated in faculty workshops on active learning techniques.
The Monmouth faculty are respected scholars, artists, scientists, and professionals. Students are drawn into the ongoing scholarly and creative work of the faculty through classroom demonstration, research assistantships, and attendance at professional meetings. Faculty also serve as advisors to students, some as designated freshman advisors who work closely with new students during their first year.
In departments having graduate programs, certain faculty are appointed to the graduate faculty. The graduate faculty provide the core of instruction in the graduate programs at Monmouth University. Recognized for their scholarly achievements by peers in their fields, the members of the graduate faculty provide a challenging classroom environment. They bring insight from research and professional experience into the classroom. Graduate students are drawn into the ongoing, creative work of the faculty through classroom demonstration, as research assistants, and through attendance at professional meetings. The graduate faculty also serve as advisors and mentors to students; in many cases, contact is maintained after graduation.
Working directly with senior faculty who are engaged in research is a key element in graduate-level study. In recent interviews, a group of student leaders on campus unanimously agreed that the opportunity to work closely with faculty is the greatest single benefit of Monmouth’s small class size and engaged faculty. Students are able to achieve a comfortable rapport with the professors.
Interviewed recently about their views of the University, a group of student leaders on campus unanimously agreed the greatest single appeal of the institution was the opportunity it afforded them to work closely with faculty, to achieve a comfortable rapport in which they not only got to know their teachers, but also were known by them. “We are never made to feel we are simply numbers,” one of the student leaders stated.
A member of the anthropology faculty, who regularly involves students in his research activities, explains: “It gives them opportunity to meet important people in the field whom they otherwise would only read about, and to engage in some of the personal excitement of anthropology.” A biology professor, who provides opportunity for students in his major field to participate in his environmental projects, also encourages them to write papers on their work and to present them at scientific meetings. “For some,” he reports, “this experience has been a determining factor in gaining acceptance to graduate school or in getting jobs in their major field. Being able to include published research in their résumés gives them a decided edge.” A psychology professor whose undergraduate students have presented papers at prestigious, professional psychology conferences is enthusiastic about their experiences. “They have truly earned the recognition they received and are excited about pursuing advanced degrees.”
Monmouth faculty are committed to helping students achieve their fullest potential. That they succeed is attested in the words of a graduate who is now a successful physicist. “Any student who has anything on the ball, and who wants to learn and get the finest education possible in his or her major field, can get it at Monmouth. The teachers are tops; they care about you as an individual, work right along with you, and share the joy of your own successes. I was a science major. When they saw that I was serious about my work, my professors gave me special encouragement, allowed me flexible lab privileges, and even worked with me on research. I knew it was a great experience then. Five years into my career field, I am even more appreciative of the solid kind of preparation provided me at Monmouth. Just show the faculty you care, and you’ll have them on your team all the way.”
Each year at Commencement, the University cites one member of the faculty for distinguished teaching. Honorees are chosen by a committee of faculty, administrators, and students. Recipients since 1975, when the award was established, are:
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Rose Mary Miller, Mathematics | 1975 |
| William P. Mitchell, Anthropology | 1976 |
| Richard Benjamin, Electronic Engineering | 1977 |
| Vernon Churchill, Biology | 1978 |
| Charles J. Lewis, Mathematics | 1979 |
| J. Emmett Collins, Marketing | 1980 |
| Robert J. Sipos, English | 1981 |
| Harris Drucker, Electronic Engineering | 1982 |
| Alicia E. Portuondo, Foreign Languages | 1983 |
| John A. Styslinger, English | 1984 |
| Everett L. Rich, Communication | 1985 |
| Doris K. Hiatt, Psychology | 1986 |
| Eugene S. Simko, Management | 1987 |
| Thomas S. Pearson, History | 1988 |
| Datta V. Naik, Chemistry | 1989 |
| Donald M. Moliver, Economics | 1990 |
| Robert S. Rouse, Chemistry | 1991 |
| Leonard Wollack, Marketing | 1992 |
| Arie van Everdingen, Art | 1993 |
| Mark Rodgers, Social Work | 1994 |
| Kenneth Campbell, History | 1995 |
| Margaret Del Guercio, English | 1996 |
| Marilyn Parker, Chemistry | 1997 |
| Gregory Coram, Criminal Justice | 1998 |
| Robyn Holmes, Psychology | 1999 |
| Robin Mama, Social Work | 2000 |
| Brian Garvey, English | 2001 |
| John Morano, Communication | 2002 |
| Rekha Datta, Political Science | 2003 |
| Judith Nye, Psychology | 2004 |
| Michael Palladino, Biology | 2005 |
| Bruce Normandia, Curriculum and Instruction | 2006 |
| Richard Veit, History and Anthropology | 2007 |
| Kelly Ward, Social Work | 2008 |
| Joseph Patten, Political Science | 2009 |
| David Tripold, Music and Theatre Arts | 2010 |
| Nancy Mezey, Political Science and Sociology | 2011 |
| Gary Lewandowski, Psychology | 2012 |
| Vincent Dimattio, Art and Design | 2013 |
| James Mack, Biology | 2014 |
| Kenneth Mitchell, Political Science | 2015 |
| Massimiliano Lamberto, Chemistry and Physics | 2016 |
| James Konopack, School of Nursing and Health Studies | 2017 |
| Christopher DeRosa, History and Anthropology | 2018 |
| Lisa Dinella, Psychology | 2019 |
| Pedram Danesghar, Biology | 2020 |
| Michele Van Volkom, Psychology | 2021 |
| Tina Paone, Educational Counseling | 2022 |
| Kathy Lionetti, Biology | 2023 |
In 2019 Faculty Council established the Eugene Simko Faculty Leadership Award to honor the late Gene Simko, former Faculty Council Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Leadership. The award recognizes individuals who best capture Professor Simko's substantial, diverse and enduring impact on Monmouth University.
Recipients since 2019, when the award was established:
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Richard Veit, History and Anthropology | 2019 |
| James Mack, Biology | 2020 |
| Hettie Williams, History and Anthropology | 2021 |
| Datta Naik, Chemistry and Physics | 2022 |
| Saliba Sarsar, Political Science and Sociology | 2023 |
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